In Conversation with Admiral Stephen T. Koehler
Wednesday 19 June 2024
On Wednesday 19 June 2024, the Perth USAsia Centre, in partnership with the US Consulate, was pleased to host an event with Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
As the world’s largest fleet command, the U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses nearly half of the globe, spanning from the West Coast of the United States to the Indian Ocean. The fleet plays a crucial role in advancing regional stability, security, and the rules-based order by conducting military exercises and operations, and by maintaining partnerships with allied nations like Australia.
At a time of increasing uncertainty across the Indo-Pacific, Australia’s close cooperation with the U.S. and the Pacific Fleet has never been more important. Partnerships like AUKUS are only further enhancing the U.S.’ role as an integral partner in advancing defence technology, deepening regional ties, and achieving key objectives that help ensure lasting stability in the Indo-Pacific.
As Australia’s ‘Indian Ocean capital’, Perth’s historic and ongoing role in the alliance was of particular focus. Situated at the border between two highly significant maritime theatres – the Pacific and the Indian Ocean – Western Australia is uniquely positioned in the Indo-Pacific and will continue to be strategically significant to the AUKUS partnership.
Admiral Koehler also acknowledged the significance of the Indian Ocean, the challenge of belligerent actors across the Indo-Pacific region, and the opportunities for like-minded partners to further cooperate with the U.S.
Biography
Admiral Steve Koehler is a Bachelor of Science in Physics graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). He holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the Joint Staff College and the Navy Nuclear Power Program.
At sea, he has served with Fighter Squadron (VF) 211, VF-41; was executive officer aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN70), and commanded Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143; USS Bataan (LHD 5); USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); and Carrier Strike Group Nine.
During these operational tours he supported Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, Deliberate Guard, and Unified Protector in support of operations in the Middle East, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Libya, as well as Operation Unified Response providing emergency disaster relief to Haiti, and peer competition operations in the East and South China Seas.
Ashore, Koehler has served as an instructor pilot with VF-101, a placement officer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, and chief of staff at Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Djibouti. As a flag officer, he served as director of Fleet Training at U.S. Fleet Forces Command; director for Operations (J3), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, J5, Joint Staff. He assumed command of U.S. Pacific Fleet on April 4, 2024.